Quick Tips for Safe Driving in the Winter

If you want to get through the winter without needing a car accident attorney, you want to know how to drive safely when the weather gets frightful. There are a number of tips to keep in mind that help to ensure that you reduce your risk of an accident to keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe out there on the road.

Each year, 22 percent of the motor vehicle accidents that occur, approximately 22 percent are weather-related, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Weather-related accidents account of an average of 1,259,000 accidents per year. Because of this, it is critical to ensure that you are doing everything possible to prevent causing or becoming a victim in an accident.

Getting Prepared

It is important to check your vehicle well to ensure that it is properly prepared for driving in winter weather conditions. Make sure to fully remove all ice and snow from the vehicle, including on the roof and trunk of your car. Make sure all ice is removed from the windows, mirrors and lights. This ensures that you have maximum visibility when you are driving.

Speed and Driving Options

When the temperatures are below freezing or there is precipitation, do not use your cruise control. When it comes to four wheel drive, it can give you some security as you are driving, but it does nothing to speed up how fast you can stop. You can to make sure to stop safely if you are keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles.

Distance Between Vehicles

Since you do not want to stop fast on wet and slippery roads, it is important that you keep a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. Use the visibility as your guide to know how much distance to keep. For example, in low visibility, you want more space. You also want to drive slower in low visibility since you are unable to see into the distance. When it comes to plows and maintenance vehicles, make sure that there is 200 feet between the front of your car and the vehicle.

Using Your Brakes

During bad weather, it is important to know your vehicle’s brake system and use it properly. If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes, you should pump your brake pedal to ensure that you maintain traction on the road. If your vehicle does have anti-lock brakes, apply firm pressure to stop the vehicle.

Bridges and Intersections

When you are driving along and the road seems fine, when you come to an intersection or bridge, you want to take it slow and cautious.

Of course, you cannot control other drivers. If you find yourself in an accident, consult a car accident attorney to ensure that you know your rights. A car accident attorney will help you with things like navigating insurance companies and what you can do to save when you were not the driver at fault.